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Threats & Emergencies  

Tornadoes

Tornado Home • Tornado Basics • Preparing for Tornadoes • Responding to Tornadoes

How to Conduct a Tornado Drill

Tornadoes can happen anytime, anywhere, with little or no warning. Knowing what to do when seconds count can save lives.

Note for Families: The instructions below explain how organizations can conduct a tornado drill, but you can also follow them to conduct a drill in your home with your family. When the instructions refer to "organization," just think of your family. When they refer to "employees," think of the members of your family. If your family is going to participate at home in this year's Statewide Tornado Drill, please register and let us know.

Designate one or more people in your organization to coordinate your drill and have them follow the steps below.

Before the drill

• If your organization is participating in the Statewide Tornado Drill, be sure to fill out the registration form.
• Before the drill, make sure that your employees are aware that you are having a tornado drill, that they understand what will take place during the drill and that they know the safest places to be during a tornado.
  • The safest place is typically a building's basement away from any windows. If there is no basement, go to a windowless interior room such as a closet, bathroom or interior hall on the lowest level of the building.
  • Encourage your employees to visit www.vaemergency.com to get information about tornado preparedness.

During the drill

• Announce the start of the drill by using a public address system or having designated volunteers alert staff.
• Employees should act as though a tornado warning has been issued for the immediate area or a tornado has been sighted near the building. They should evacuate as quickly as possible to the nearest safe place. Be sure to use stairs to reach the lowest level of a building. Avoid using an elevator.
• In a real tornado emergency, once people reach safe areas they would crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down, and cover their heads with their hands. Please ensure that people in your organization know this.
• Once all employees have evacuated, the drill coordinator can announce that the tornado has passed and the drill is over. Employees can then return to their offices.

After the drill

• The drill coordinator should document any necessary changes in the evacuation procedure.
  • Do more safe areas need to be identified?
  • Are some safe areas cluttered and need to be cleaned out to be more accessible?
  • Do employees know the fastest routes to take to safe areas?
  • Is a better method for letting employees know of an approaching tornado needed?

If you or your drill coordinator have questions or concerns about conducting a drill, please contact the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. With your organization's participation, your employees and students will be safer and more prepared.